In a world where customers have infinite choices, it's important to stand out from the crowd. Plenty of other businesses are offering the same product or service as you, and if you don't make an effort to reel your customers in, it's likely those customers will be taking their business elsewhere. So how can you gain an edge over your competitors?
We asked six entrepreneurs from FounderSociety the following question:
Q. What is one unique strategy I can use to make my customers more likely to use my product/service?
1. Offer what others do not
Many people use online dating services nowadays. However, most of these sites rely only on witty marketing profile campaigns so most of these people are not getting the results they think they’re paying for. At AlignedSigns.com, we give our users clear tools and knowledge to enhance their established relationships, as well as make new, meaningful, and long-lasting connections. –Jessica Baker, Aligned Signs
2. Ask for references
For the past 20 months, we have been growing at a double-digit rate month after month, yet we don't do any sales or marketing. We have been getting new clients via references. Once we've worked with a client on a project, we politely ask them how their experience went and if they would recommend our work. Once they acknowledge the quality of our work, we ask for two introductions. –Tim Grassin, Candy Banners
3. Implement push notifications
We've helped clients implement native applications for mobile and desktop platforms so that they can make use of push notifications. These are great prompts to drive engagement with products and services. Various platforms have rules against sales messages, but well-crafted notifications should be able to straddle the line and drive results. –Tony Banta, Live Mercury, Inc.
4. Use inbound marketing tactics
Differentiation is key, and executing a solid inbound marketing and SEO plan can help. You first need to have a clear understanding of not only how you are different, but how you are better for your customers. Next, you need a well-thought-out strategy to deliver the message. SEO, social media, permission-based email marketing, content marketing, and even targeted paid social can deliver dividends. –Christopher Rodgers, Colorado SEO Pros
5. Offer them a reference
Unfortunately, a lot of people we speak with only want to know our prices. When this happens, I tell them how much we cost and that we aren't the highest or the lowest in the industry. I then tell them they should call some of our references just in case they aren't sure what to do. We almost always (over 90 percent of the time) win the client when they do so. –Ben Walker, Transcription Outsourcing, LLC
6. Show them how they'd benefit
The strategy that I use to make a customer more likely to use my service is showing how they specifically can benefit from my service. I show customers the significance of personalized help and how my service differs from generic services. This is definitely something that has helped me improve my revenue almost fourfold. –Ajmal Saleem, Suprex Learning LLC
